For those lost 11 years ago today in New York, Washington DC and Pennsylvania. Shall we always remember....

11 years ago today, I was a police officer in Tennessee working at 2 schools. I remember bursting into one of the principal's offices, breaking into a meeting and demanding she turn on her television set. Once she got over the anger and saw the look on my face she did and we sat and watched in horror at what was unfolding on the screen before us. After that it was down to business, keeping children occupied and teachers calmed as we had some with connections to people in those 3 locations.

As I watched, I wondered if I would have had the courage to do what those police and firemen who gave their lives that day did. To all who gave their lives either as civilians or in the line of duty,..we remember and thank you. May you forever Rest in Peace.

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I am deluded enough to think I can bring something to the table - Huey Lewis.

For those lost 11 years ago today in New York, Washington DC and Pennsylvania. Shall we always remember....

11 years ago today, I was a police officer in Tennessee working at 2 schools. I remember bursting into one of the principal's offices, breaking into a meeting and demanding she turn on her television set. Once she got over the anger and saw the look on my face she did and we sat and watched in horror at what was unfolding on the screen before us. After that it was down to business, keeping children occupied and teachers calmed as we had some with connections to people in those 3 locations.

As I watched, I wondered if I would have had the courage to do what those police and firemen who gave their lives that day did. To all who gave their lives either as civilians or in the line of duty,..we remember and thank you. May you forever Rest in Peace.

Mary.....first let me say thank you.I'm proudly retired NYPD and I was a first responder that day.I lost a few friends,and nearly my son who worked in the Trade Center for Cantor Fitzgerald.

The reason my kid's still alive is he had an extra cup of coffee on the ferry boat ride from Staten Island that morning,and actually had to use the port-a-john a couple of blocks away.He had just come out and was around the corner when the first tower fell.

I could tell you all tons of stories about that day,but that one about my son and meeting my former high school friend and bandmate at ground zero that day was just amazing.My buddy was a retired FDNY lieutenant and responded in his bunker gear to help out.I was also retired from about 6 months before, as a Crime Scene Unit Detective.There was so much chaos that day,the mayor was asking for retired cops and firemen to respond.

I worked on the "pile" at ground zero for a few days,and then at the land fill,collecting remains for DNA testing and crime scene evidence.

This event in our history is something that can't be forgotton about.........ever.The World Trade Center,The Pentagon,and the bravery of the passengers of United flight 93 to crash their own plane should serve as a reminder that freedom isn't free.

Mary.....first let me say thank you.I'm proudly retired NYPD and I was a first responder that day.I lost a few friends,and nearly my son who worked in the Trade Center for Cantor Fitzgerald.

The reason my kid's still alive is he had an extra cup of coffee on the ferry boat ride from Staten Island that morning,and actually had to use the port-a-john a couple of blocks away.He had just come out and was around the corner when the first tower fell.

I could tell you all tons of stories about that day,but that one about my son and meeting my former high school friend and bandmate at ground zero that day was just amazing.My buddy was a retired FDNY lieutenant and responded in his bunker gear to help out.I was also retired from about 6 months before, as a Crime Scene Unit Detective.There was so much chaos that day,the mayor was asking for retired cops and firemen to respond.

I worked on the "pile" at ground zero for a few days,and then at the land fill,collecting remains for DNA testing and crime scene evidence.

This event in our history is something that can't be forgotton about.........ever.The World Trade Center,The Pentagon,and the bravery of the passengers of United flight 93 to crash their own plane should serve as a reminder that freedom isn't free.

Mods..I tried to be as apolitical as I could.

Steve B

And thank you Steve. I realized that in my OP I forgot to thank those of you who didn't perish but gave so much on that day and the ones that followed. And I'm glad to hear about your son. Take care!

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I am deluded enough to think I can bring something to the table - Huey Lewis.

This is always a hard day for my wife and I. Despite being from way across the country, we lost 3 good friends on the day (two on Flight 93, one at Cantor Fitzgerald). And then we lost my wife's brother this spring, in part due to lingering health problems stemming from the weeks he spent working on the pile as a member of FEMA Team 1.

We were just at the Memorial in July, and found and photographed the names of our friends. I can't imagine how hard it was and is for the folks who all live right there. Thanks to all the first responders for their sacrifices and their hard work. And our hearts go out to anyone who felt the loss directly as well. None of us will ever be the same, but we will press on. And none of us will ever forget....

For those lost 11 years ago today in New York, Washington DC and Pennsylvania. Shall we always remember....

I was living in the UK when this tragedy happened, and I could not believe this was real, and done by humans on other humans, I followed this tragedy on TV with tears for days, I feel so much for those who died, those who lost loved ones, and those who died to help... even today, watching this tribute clip is very emotional... the world should never, ever forgot what happened that day.